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American Made Gift Ideas

Below you will find made in the USA gear proudly built by craftsmen and women with careful attention to detail.

I've selected the best performing gear that would bring a smile to any outdoors enthusiast. The following sellers were chosen for their competitive pricing, affordable and often free expedited shipping, and ease of returns.

Gift Guide Sections

Big Gifts (Over $100)

The Shell by Hyperlite Mountain Gear

The Shell Jacket is the most advanced hardshell jacket you can buy... yet it costs less than many Patagucci or Arcteryx jackets made in China and Bangladesh. Its state of the art Dyneema E-vent material is waterproof, highly breathable, and super durable while remaining ultra lightweight at 5.8 oz for a Medium.Last observed price: $450

​​Council Tool Wood-Craft Axe

​This is a superb bushcraft axe with top notch fit and finish that easily competes with the pricy Swedish axes like Gransfors Bruks. It comes with a beautifully finished 2 lb 5160 steel head and a premium American Hickory handle. If you're OCD and looking for a flawless American made axe then this is the one for you. Council Tool's Wood-Craft Axe earns our Editor's Choice for its excellence.​Last observed price: $142

Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping Bag

The Ultralite is a cozy 850+ fill down (guaranteed min. 850 fill but typically 900+) bag accurately rated to 20 degrees F and weighing in at just 1 lb 13 oz (reg). I find 20 F bags to be the most versatile bags, comfortable over a wide range of climates from alpine to desert. The Ultralite is a narrow and efficient mummy bag, if you're shoulders are wider then I recommend the roomier but similar Alpinlite. I use an Ultralite for my personal bag and love it.​​​Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.com

Topo Designs Backpacks

Do you just want a simple day pack that's well made, affordable, and fashionable both on hikes and in town? The Topo Designs Daypack (top) fulfills those needs. You can find these Topo Designs packs in a bright variety of colors and materials. Importantly for your daily pack, most Topo Designs backpacks include a protective internal sleeve for your laptop. The Topo Designs Klettersack and Mountain Pack are other classy designs.Last observed price range: ~ $149-189

Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent

Super lightweight, roomy, quick and easy setup, high wind resistance, affordable, our Editor's Choice... check, check, and checked all around. The Double Rainbow weighs under 3 lb while providing plenty of room for 2 people with gear. Check out my review on this superb tent. I firmly believe you can't find a better 3-season tent than the Double Rainbow, even for twice its price.​Last observed price: $289

Delorme inReach SE satellite communicator

Ever wonder how to call for help deep in the backcountry? This can help keep you and your loved ones safe. The inReach is the satellite communicator I prefer when working deep in the wilderness. Often my radio couldn't hit a repeater, so I'd simply check-in with my inReach. I've also worked with the Spot SOS device; I find the inReach is far superior. You can use the inReach to send an SOS, text custom messages to phones and email accounts, and even link your smart phone to type and receive messages. As you can probably tell by now, I like to keep things light, thankfully the inReach SE only weighs 7 oz.​Last observed price range: ~ $260-275

Cilogear 45L WorkSack backpack

The 45L WorkSack is a wonderfully versatile backpack that earned our Editor's Choice Award. Check out my in depth review. The one downside, if you're impatient, is the waiting list since it's made to order from the Portland factory.​Last observed price: $289

Danner Crater Rim Hiking Boot- Men's & Women's

The Crater Rim is a rugged waterproof backpacking boot crafted with high quality leather and a Gore-Tex liner. These boots have 6" uppers and Vibram soles that meet US Forest Service field requirements. Perhaps most impressively, these are boots issued to US Special Forces.​Last observed price range: ~ $202-330

​Danner Men's Mountain Light Overton Work Boot

I liked the original Mountain Light but I certainly love the looks of the new Overton work boot. It has a durable, smooth Vibram work sole. For the old classic Mountain Light boots, see here.​Last observed price range: ~ $250-375

MSR Whisperlite International Stove

The Whisperlite International burns multiple types of fuel, making it the best stove for high altitude, international travel, and low temperature cooking (and snow melting). It's easy to maintain, has a great burner capable of simmering (thus real cooking), and weighs under a pound. Additionally, there's the more expensive Whisperlite Universal which also burns butane fuel; though I prefer to pack the lighter MSR Superfly (even over the tiny MSR PocketRocket) for burning butane while retaining a simmer capability.​Last observed price range: ~ $75-100

Leatherman Tread Multi-Tool Bracelet

The Leatherman Tread is a wearable multi-tool featuring 29 tools in a utilitarian bracelet. Finally, you don't have to worry about airport cronies confiscating your multi-tool! Rest assured this revolutionary man jewelry is very well made.​Last observed price: ~ $175

Yeti Tundra Cooler

Do you want the best cooler; one that will hold it's cool for over a week? The Yeti Tundra is the one. This professional cooler holds ice for a ridiculously long time and its grizzly proof. The 45 quart Yeti Tundra is the cooler I used and loved while working in Wyoming's grizzly country.Last observed price: ~ $350

MSR WindBurner Stove System

If you want a windproof stove to quickly and efficiently boil water, the WindBurner is an excellent choice. This stove excels at boiling water for quick & lightweight backpacking food like freeze dried meals, don't expect to cook anything else. This system weighs 15 oz. including the 1L insulated pot. The WindBurner edges out the older MSR Reactor Stove due to increased fuel efficiency and wind performance. It should be mentioned... there's a coffee press kit available for the WindBurner... mmm coffee.Last observed price range: $100-140

DPS ​Alchemist Wailer 106 Ski

The Wailer 106 has long been a favorite of mine. Made with an Aspen wood core and a carbon fiber laminate, it carves hard, turns effortlessly, blasts through crud, and floats powder. Though pricy, I highly prefer DPS's carbon fiber laminated skis as opposed to their cheaper Foundation skis which chatter at speed. The Wailer 106 is even light enough to consider making it your backcountry ski.​Last observed price: ~ $1,299

Smith Snow Goggles

Smith makes the nicest goggles in the world right near my hometown in the Rocky Mountains. They're lightweight, comfortable, impressively fog resistant, have a wide range of vision, and come in a variety of colors and styles. What more do you want in goggles? I personally own Smith Squad Goggles with Chromapop lenses and love 'em.

​DPS Yvette 112 Alchemist Ski - Women's

Like the Wailer 106, the Yvette 112 has an Aspen wood core with a carbon fiber laminate that makes this ski light but powerful, without the chatter. At 112mm underfoot you should float with the best of the powder fish.​Last observed price: ~ $1,299

Misty Mountain Cadillac Climbing Harness

Misty Mountain's Cadillac harness is the most comfortable harness I've ever used. The Cadillac has tons of gear loop real estate, and lots of cushioning. I find the extra cushioning and comfort well worth the slightly extra weight. I trust my life with this harness, enough said. It's available in both Men's and Women's versions. ​Last observed price: $

ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack

Its comfortable suspension system, durable materials, well thought out design, and ultra light weight make the Ohm 2.0 a favorite on long distance hikes like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails, and earns the Ohm 2.0 American Gear Guide's Best Buy Award for backpacking. This is my personal go-to backpacking pack. ULA provides a variety of sizes to suit your needs, but the Ohm 2.0 is my top choice. That said, I believe most folks will opt for the slightly larger Circuit or Catalyst packs. ​Last observed price: $210

Coleman Guide Series Stove

The Coleman Guide Stove is a truly classic camp stove. Seeing this stove brings back fond memories of family camping trips when I was a boy. It uses liquid fuel, and has two burners with folding wind blockers. This classic is one of the only Coleman stoves still made in the USA. A cool thing about the Guide Stove is not only will it burn white gas, it also runs on regular gasoline which is terrific in an emergency.Last observed price range: ~ $95-101​​​Click for Current Pricing from Amazon

Chippewa Apache Rugged Boot

The Chippewa Apache Boot (model 20080) is a hidden gem. For such a high quality American made boot it's surprising that it often sells for less than $200. Chippewa also makes an 8" upper version and models with different soles. I ordered mine one size smaller than usual and they fit me perfectly.​Last observed price: ~ $171-220

HMG 2400 Windrider Backpack

The HMG 2400 Windrider is constructed of Dyneema (formerly known as cuben fiber) fabric. Along with taped seams, this translates into the Windrider being impressively weatherproof, durable, and ultra lightweight. This is a pricy ultralight pack made for the pros.Last observed price: ~ $300-325

MSR Guardian Water Purifier

The MSR Guardian's claim to fame is it's ability to physically remove viruses that other filters can't. It pumps at a quick 2.5 liters per minute, removes sediments, and self cleans. It's also incredibly durable, and is the only filter unit here that could be frozen, thawed, and reused. If you're in areas with viral contaminants then the Guardian is worth its price. That said, if you spend your time in areas without viral threats then I recommend the far lighter and cheaper Sawyer Mini Filter.Last observed price: ~ $350​​​Click for Current Pricing from Backcountry.comClick for Current Pricing from Moosejaw.com​Click for Current Pricing from REI.com

Thinking about buying some of the gear you found? Please help out AmericanGearGuide if you are. Simply visit any of the above seller links and if you buy anything, then the seller will donate a portion of the sale. This doesn’t cost you extra, and it's a simple way to help support our ongoing effort to provide great gear info. ​Thank you!

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